The warehouse doors didn't crash open.
They slid.
Slow. Deliberate. Like the people outside already owned the space.
Three figures stepped in.
White coats trimmed with black. Emblems stitched into the chest—Registry Authority.
Not enforcers.
Elites.
[Threat Level: Extreme — Registered Elites Detected]
The lead woman removed her gloves with precise movements. Her cultivation pressure was… clean. Refined. Almost sterile.
"Alpha Phantom," she said. "Designation pending."
Alpha didn't move. "You walked onto claimed ground."
She smiled politely. "There is no such thing as claimed ground. Only regulated space."
Nyx shifted beside Alpha.
The woman's eyes flicked to her. "And you must be Subject Nyx. Unregistered healer-class. File incomplete."
Nyx's jaw tightened.
"You've been watching me," Nyx said.
"Of course," the woman replied. "We watch anomalies."
Alpha stepped forward half a pace.
"Explain something," he said. "Why send elites?"
The woman met his gaze.
"Because you broke projection models," she said. "Unregistered cultivators are meant to burn out, submit, or die."
Alpha tilted his head. "And I did none."
"Correct," she said. "You adapted."
[System Analysis: Host — Non-Compliant Growth Pattern]
Nyx spoke quietly. "You're afraid of him."
The woman didn't deny it.
"We're afraid of precedent," she said. "Independent cultivation spreads unpredictably."
Alpha smiled. "Sounds like freedom."
The woman sighed. "Sounds like collapse."
She raised her hand.
The air crystallized.
[Registered Technique: Domain Lock — Activated]
The warehouse floor lit up with geometric patterns. Movement became heavy. Sound dampened.
Rex collapsed instantly, pressure crushing him.
Nyx reacted.
She stepped forward, palms glowing with soft silver light.
[Hidden Technique: Null Weave — Activated]
The patterns flickered.
Cracked.
The lead elite's eyes widened for the first time.
"That technique is sealed," she whispered.
Nyx's voice was calm. "So was I."
The Domain Lock shattered.
Alpha moved.
Not rushing.
Claiming.
He crossed the space between them in two steps and struck the second elite in the chest.
The man flew backward, slamming into the wall, coughing blood.
The third elite attacked.
Alpha caught his wrist.
Bone snapped.
Alpha leaned in. "Now you understand."
The lead woman backed away slowly.
"You can't exist like this," she said. "You'll destabilize everything."
Alpha's eyes were cold.
"Then your system was fragile."
Sirens screamed outside.
Nyx touched Alpha's arm. "More coming."
Alpha nodded.
"Good," he said. "They're learning."
[City Status: Registry Breach — Confirmed]
[Alpha Threat Level: Red]
The elites retreated.
Not defeated.
But shaken.
The warehouse stood intact.
For now.
Nyx exhaled shakily. "You're changing the rules."
Alpha looked at her.
"No," he said. "I'm exposing them."